(Salvador Cordaro/CASACOR)
What is a Green Roof?
Green roofs are plants and ecological roofs that have been increasingly popular in buildings. Composed of vegetation, they are more than just green roofs and involve waterproofing and planting techniques that must be carried out by a qualified professional. (Fernando Guerra/CASACOR)
With a
green roof, it is possible to make better use of sunlight, as well as providing more freshness inside the house. Before implementing, it is important to keep in mind that not all buildings can have a green roof. This will all depend on the resistance of the slab, as well as the waterproofing of the roots.
How is a Green Roof Made?
Whether made of slabs or tiles, the Green Roof is made up of 6 layers, which guarantee the integrity of the roof, as well as the crops that will be grown in the green building. They are: 1 – Waterproofing: after cleaning the slab, a PVC membrane (6 mm) is fixed over the entire length using specific welding. This membrane prevents infiltration. 2 – Water: after 45 days of irrigation, a layer of water (5 cm, or 50 liters per m²) appears on the slab. Afterwards, the reservoir remains full due to rainfall. Drains every 20 m² carry the excess to a gutter. . 3 – Modules: above the water layer, the plastic grid fits, which separates the liquid. The modules are 7 cm high. 4 – Membrane: made from recycled TNT, a type of blanket protects the grid. This skin allows the roots to reach the water and form a web, preventing the substrate from falling into the reservoir. 5 – Substrate: on this absorption film, the organic compound begins at 3.5 cm in height (appropriate measurement for grass and ground cover). Other vegetation, such as shrubs and trees, require greater thickness for the installation of the ecological roof. 6 – Planting: For the Green Roof, grass, shrubs and low trees can be used (varies according to the structure) or vegetation that can receive high sunlight. In addition, native plants are the main choices for the green roof, because of the climate. 1 – Financial savings - collected rainwater can be used for cleaning, gardening and also for flushing toilets, for example. Furthermore, by following the right purification processes, this water can become drinkable. 2 – Reduced consumption of drinking water: This is one of the main reasons and everyone benefits! Saving drinking water is essential for the future of the planet. 3 – Reduction of flooding: it is possible to reduce flooding in large cities, where there are few green areas and rainwater runoff is more difficult, with detention basins on green roofs. 4 – Quality of life: A green roof can benefit the region’s biome, attracting animals that can make the neighborhood more pleasant and beautiful. 5 – Temperature: Green Roofs can reduce the temperature at the top of a building by up to 5ºC, in addition to minimizing heat islands in cities. Green Roof Maintenance
Just like a garden, an eco-roof needs maintenance. Experts recommend a professional visit once or twice a year to ensure that unwanted plant species are not growing on the green roof. In addition, if the vegetation on the Green Roof is not With a healthy appearance, treatment is done with a small amount of fertilizer with organic compound, which can be found in flower shops or supermarkets.
Green Roof Projects
Many CASACOR professionals are committed to a sustainable construction method, and among the solutions, the Green Roof is an option chosen by them, as you can see in the projects below: Syshaus, by Studio Arthur Casas
Betting on technology to create a more autonomous, sustainable and cozy environment, Syshaus invested in a green roof to ensure freshness and reduce the consumption of drinking water on site.
Hauer House, by Studio 41
The house has a reuse system that allows rainwater to be captured through the roof gutter and fed into a cistern . In addition to all the benefits that a green roof already offers, Estúdio 41 also innovated to make the project even more focused on caring for the environment.
JY House, by Studio Arthur Casas
Many solutions were incorporated into the CASA JY project by Arthur Casas aimed at sustainability. And the green roof was one of them. The place, which has very sunny days, gained the roof as a way to reduce the temperature and make the environment more comfortable for the residents. Discover this and other sustainable practices on CASACOR's Instagram: @casacor_sustentavel . 
